LCU BASEBALL: Chaps win Pool Play Opener at SAC Tournament

SHAWNEE, Okla. (May 1, 2013) – Lubbock Christian University starting pitcher Jack Mabe retired 15 consecutive St. Gregory's University hitters and Jason Fisch hit a two-out RBI ground-rule double for the go-ahead run in the sixth inning and the No.5 Chaparrals opened Pool B of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament with a 3-1 win over the Cavaliers at Bison Field at Ford Park on the campus of pool host Oklahoma Baptist University.

St. Gregory's produced back-to-back singles to lead off the fourth inning, and Roberto Celestino hit into a double play to place the Cavs with a 1-0 lead. The double play turned out to be the first of an eventual 15 consecutive batters retired by Mabe. The Cavaliers final 19 batters (18 facing Mabe) were unable to garner a hit.

LCU had production problems of their own. SGU pitcher Ben Moore, who had defeated LCU in the regular season, had held LCU to three hits through five innings of work. LCU was finally able to garner some offense in the sixth inning when Brandon Wilson led off with a walk. Joel Lutz attempted a bunt for his first sacrifice bunt of the season, but he placed the ball perfectly down the third base line and reached on a single. Brennyn Smith followed getting hit by a pitch and the bases were loaded. Wigberto Nevarez tied the game with his second sacrifice fly of the season and Jason Fisch hit a two-out fly ball to left field, which bounced over the fence for a ground-rule double and a 2-1 lead. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Brett Kauten attempted to steal home and Moore balked, resulting in Kauten being awarded home for a 3-1 lead.

A walk issued with one out in the top of the ninth inning ended Mabe's streak of consecutive retired batters. He would hit a batter with two outs resulting in Monty McCasland coming out of the bullpen to record the save (his second of the season). Mabe allowed five hits over 8.2 innings leading to one run. He improved to 7-2. Moore fell to 8-5 and pitched all eight innings for SGU. He allowed three runs off seven hits and struck out six batters.

Kauten and Wilson each went 2-for-3 and were the game's only multi-hit producers. Wilson had a double in his first at-bat to extend his hit streak to 14 games.

The Chaparrals notched their 40th win of the season and are 40-14 overall. SGU fell to 18-34. The win places LCU with a 1-0 pool play record. They continue pool play Thursday at 2 p.m. facing Wayland Baptist.